AN ELEPHANT PLACES A HAT ON THE HEAD OF ITS HANDLER IN LAMPANG, 2002-09-08 (photo)

An Asian elephant places a hat on the head of its "mahout" (handler) during a demonstration of elephant skills at Thailand's Elephant Conservation Centre in Lampang, 600 km (373 miles) north of Bangkok, on September 8, 2002. Buoyed by the success of their first compact disc, Californian-born Lair and compatriot musician Dave Soldier are putting together another CD featuring an ensemble orchestra of 11 elephants at the centre, some rescued from a brutal life on the streets of Bangkok, who play everything from xylophones to drums and wind instruments. Picture taken September 8. REUTERS/Jason Reed JIR/JD